Wireless power supply system

ABSTRACT

A wireless power supply system has a power sending resonance coil, a power receiving resonance coil, and a relay resonance coil. The power sending resonance coil has a predetermined resonance frequency characteristic, and transmits power wirelessly. The power receiving resonance coil has the same resonance frequency characteristic as the power sending resonance coil, and receives power wirelessly with a magnetic field resonance mode generated by synchronization of the resonance frequency. The relay resonance coil has the same resonance frequency characteristic as the power sending resonance coil and the power receiving resonance coil, and relay power from the power sending resonance coil to the power receiving resonance coil wirelessly with the magnetic field resonance mode generated by synchronization of the resonance frequency with them.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of InternationalApplication PCT/JP2009/055155 filed on Mar. 17, 2009 and designated theU.S., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a wireless power supply systemsupplying power wirelessly under the so-called magnetic field resonancemode.

BACKGROUND

As a wireless power supply technique, a technique using the magneticfield resonance mode as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposedin recent years, instead of the ones using electromagnetic induction. Inthe wireless power supply technology under the magnetic field resonancemode, for example, a resonator having a resonance angle frequency ω1 isprovided in the power sending apparatus, and a resonator having aresonance angle frequency ω2 is provided in the power receivingapparatus. As the resonator, a resonance circuit in which a coil andcondenser are connected is utilized. By synchronizing these resonanceangle frequencies ω1 and ω2 and adjusting the size and alignment of theresonators appropriately, a magnetic field coupling state where energytransfer by the magnetic field resonance mode can be performed isgenerated between the power sending apparatus and the power receivingapparatus, and power is transferred from the resonator of the powersending apparatus to the resonator of the power receiving apparatuswirelessly. According to such a wireless power supply technique, theusage efficiency of power (energy transfer efficiency) is about severaldozen % and the distance between the apparatuses can be relativelylarge, so the power receiving apparatus can be placed about severaldozen centimeters away from the power sending apparatus.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2009-501510

SUMMARY

However, in the wireless power supply technique, since the coil hasdirectionality in the same manner as in the case with electromagneticinduction, there has been a disadvantage that depending on thepositional relationship between the power sending apparatus and thepower receiving apparatus, power supply becomes difficult. For example,the case where the coil axis of the power sending side coil and the coilaxis of the power receiving side coil are in the crossed, parallel, ortwisted positional relationship is considered. In this case, theperpendicular component of the magnetic line extending from the powersending side coil and passing through the power receiving side coil isnecessarily smaller than in the coaxial case, and in accordance with it,the strength of the magnetic field becomes small. Accordingly, themagnetic field coupling state in the magnetic field resonance modebecomes weak between the power sending apparatus and the power receivingapparatus whose coil axes are misaligned, resulting in a state wherelittle or no power can be transmitted.

The present invention has been conceived under the situation describedabove. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a wirelesspower supply system capable of relaying power from the power sendingside and transmitting to the power receiving side efficiently.

In order to solve the above challenge, the present invention takes thefollowing technical measures.

According to the present invention, a wireless power supply system asdescribed below is provided. A wireless power supply system includes apower sending resonance coil, a power receiving resonance coil, and oneor more relay resonance coils. The power sending resonance coil has aresonance frequency characteristic, and transmits power wirelessly. Thepower receiving resonance coil has the same resonance frequencycharacteristic as the power sending resonance coil, and receives powerwirelessly with a magnetic field resonance mode generated bysynchronization of the resonance frequency. The relay resonance coil hasthe same resonance frequency characteristic as the power sendingresonance coil and the power receiving resonance coil, and relay powerfrom the power sending resonance coil to the power receiving resonancecoil wirelessly with the magnetic field resonance mode generated bysynchronization of the resonance frequency with them. The angle at whicha magnetic line extending from the power sending resonance coil anddirectly going through the power receiving resonance coil crosses thecoil axis of the power receiving resonance coil is assumed as ancrossing angle α. The angle at which a magnetic line extending from thepower sending resonance coil or another relay resonance coil and goingthrough the relay resonance coil crosses the coil axis of the relayresonance coil is assumed as an crossing angle β0. The angle at which amagnetic line extending from the relay resonance coil and going throughthe power receiving resonance coil or another relay resonance coilcrosses the coil axis of the power receiving resonance coil or the otherrelay resonance coil is assumed as an crossing angle β1. In that case,the relay resonance coil is placed so as to realize 0°≦β0≦α≦90°, and0°≦β1≦α≦90°.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeclearer by detail explanation made below with reference to the attacheddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesspower supply system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modification example of awireless power supply system in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plane view of a resonance coil to be a constituent element.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram to explain the effectiveness of thecase using a relay resonance coil.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram to explain the effectiveness of thecase using a relay resonance coil.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram to explain the effectiveness of thecase using a relay resonance coil.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of awireless power supply system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plain view illustrating example 1 of a wireless power supplysystem according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plain view illustrating the main part of the wireless powersupply system in FIG. 7 in an enlarged way.

FIG. 10 is an oblique perspective view illustrating example 2 of awireless power supply system according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plain view illustrating example 3 of a wireless powersupply system according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will beexplained specifically with reference to drawings.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an embodiment of a wireless power supply systemaccording to the present invention. The wireless power supply system ofthe present embodiment has a power sending resonance coil 1, a powerreceiving resonance coil 2, and a relay resonance coil 3 as basicconstituent elements. In the wireless power supply system, a posturecontrol apparatus 4, for example, for controlling the posture of thepower receiving resonance coil 2 is included.

The power sending resonance coil 1 is a coil whose both ends are open.The power sending resonance coil 1 is not connected to the electriccircuit in order to increase the Q value. The Q value is an indicatorrepresenting the sharpness of resonance, which is determined by the pureresistance and the radiation resistance of the coil, and a larger Qvalue can be obtained with these values being smaller. The power sendingresonance coil 1 has a capacitor with the floating capacity.Accordingly, the power sending resonance coil1 becomes an LC resonancecircuit. The resonance frequency f of the power sending resonance coil 1as an LC resonance circuit is obtained by the following expression withthe inductance: L and the capacity of the capacitor: C.

$f = \frac{1}{2\pi\sqrt{LC}}$

Power is supplied to the power sending resonance coil 1 from a powersupply coil that is not illustrated in the drawing via theelectromagnetic induction. The power supply coil is placed to be at ashort distance away such that power can be supplied to the power sendingresonance coil 1 via the electromagnetic induction. The power supplycoil is connected to a power supply that is not illustrated in thedrawing via an oscillation circuit. The oscillation circuit transmitsalternating-current power of a predetermined frequency determined by theresonance frequency of the power sending resonance coil 1. In powersupply from such a power supply coil to the power sending resonance coil1, since electromagnetic induction, not magnetic field resonance, ismainly used, the resonance frequency does not need to be considered.Therefore, for the power supply coil, change of the frequency of theoscillation circuit does not need to be considered. Accordingly, in thecase in which a power supply coil using electromagnetic induction isused, it becomes possible to improve the degree of freedom of design ofthe oscillation circuit.

Considering an equivalent circuit of the power sending resonance coil 1,as illustrated in FIG. 3, the power sending resonance coil 1 includes anair core coil unit 10, and a capacitor 11 connected serially to the coilunit 10. Assuming the inductance of the coil unit 10 as L, thecapacitance (floating capacitance) of the capacitor 11 as C and thefrequency of the alternating-current power supplied from the oscillationcircuit as f, the power sending resonance coil 1 enters the resonancestate when the frequency f of the alternating-current power becomes thefrequency of the expression Math.1 above. This frequency f becomes theresonance frequency. In the resonance state, energy is periodicallyexchanged from the electric field by the voltage inside the capacitor 11into the magnetic field of the free space by the current flowing in thecoil unit 10. When a resonance coil (the relay resonance coil 3) havingthe resonance frequency f matching the power sending resonance coil 1 inthe resonance state is brought close to the power sending resonance coil1 in the posture according to the condition described later, theresonance coil resonates by the magnetic field from the power sendingresonance coil 1. Such a resonance phenomenon by the magnetic field isreferred to as a magnetic field resonance mode. In the magnetic fieldresonance mode, power of the power sending resonance coil 1 istransmitted wirelessly to resonance coil brought close thereto.

Meanwhile, the matching resonance frequency f here does not mean anexact match. Even though the resonance frequencies of a plurality ofresonance circuits may match in a simulation and the like, the resonancefrequencies of a plurality of resonance circuits do not match inreality. Therefore, the matching resonance frequency f representspractically-matching frequency. The range of the practical match isdetermined by the Q value. The range of the practical match narrows asthe Q value becomes higher, and in an opposite manner, expands as the Qvalue becomes lower. A guideline of the range of the practical match isthe frequency range in which the value of the resonance point becomes ahalf value. In another expression, the range of the practical match is afrequency range in which power can be transmitted with a higherefficiency than that for electromagnetic induction. Meanwhile, such arange of the practical match is obviously a matter determined within therange of common knowledge of those skilled in the art. However,engineers who do not possess common knowledge of those skilled in theart may refer from time to time. The above explanation is included inconsideration of such a case, and the extent of is not to be limited bythe explanation.

The power receiving resonance coil 2 is a coil whose both ends are open.The power receiving resonance coil 2 is not connected to the electriccircuit to increase the Q value in the same manner as the power sendingresonance coil 1. The power receiving resonance coil 2 becomes an LCresonance circuit in the same manner as the power sending resonance coil1. In the power receiving resonance coil 2, power is extracted byelectromagnetic induction via a power extraction coil that is notillustrated in the drawing. The power receiving resonance coil 2 and thepower extraction coil are placed at a short distance at which power canbe extracted by electromagnetic induction. The power extraction coil isconnected to a load device that consumes power, such as the posturecontrol apparatus 4 or an electronic device or a battery that is notillustrated in the drawing. Between the power extraction coil and theload, an output circuit (not illustrated) that converts the extractedpower to power to be consumed in the lad is connected. The outputcircuit is a circuit to convert voltage when the load is a posturecontrol apparatus or an electronic device. For example, as the outputcircuit, a transformer or an AC-DC converter can be used. The outputcircuit is a circuit to convert an alternating current to a directcurrent when the load is a battery. For example, as the output circuit,a rectifier circuit or a charging circuit to monitor the charging amountcan be used. In the case where the load is a heater, light bulb and thelike that can operate with an alternating current, the wire connected tothe load becomes the output circuit. Considering an equivalent circuitof the power receiving resonance coil 2, the power receiving resonancecoil 2 is in the same configuration as that of the power sendingresonance coil 1, having a coil unit and a capacitor. The resonancefrequency of the power receiving resonance coil is identical with theresonance frequency f of the power sending resonance coil 1. Such powerreceiving resonance coil 2 is synchronized to a resonance coil (in thisembodiment, relay resonance coil 3) close to it to generate a magneticfield resonance mode by synchronizing the resonance frequency of thepower receiving resonance coil 2 with that of the resonance coil, andreceives power from the resonance coil wirelessly. The power received bythe power receiving resonance coil 2 is supplied to the load device by awire via a rectifier circuit for example.

The relay resonance coil 3 is placed at a position where the magneticfield effectively works between the power sending resonance coil 1 andthe power receiving resonance coil 2 in a posture according to thecondition described later. The relay resonance coil 2 is not connectedto any external power supply or a load device, and is in the sameconfiguration regarding its circuit configuration as that of the powersending resonance circuit 1 and the power receiving resonance circuit 2,and the resonance frequency of the relay resonance coil 3 also identicalwith the resonance frequency f of the power sending resonance coil 1 andthe power receiving resonance coil 2. Such relay resonance coil 3generates a magnetic field resonance mode with its resonance frequencysynchronized with two close resonance coils (the power sending resonancecoil 1 and the power receiving resonance coil 2 in this embodiment) in aposture described later. Accordingly, the resonance coil 3 receivespower from the resonance coil at the power sending side wirelessly, andrelays the power so as to transmit it to the resonance coil at the powerreceiving side wirelessly.

In the wireless power supply technique using the magnetic fieldresonance mode as described above, even if the distance between thecoils is larger than the radius of the power sending resonance coil 1 orthe power receiving resonance coil 2, power can be supplied wirelesslywith a high efficiency. For this reason, a dead zone is generated thatwould not happen in electromagnetic induction. The dead zone is notdetermined simply according to the distance, but is affected by theposture of the power sending resonance coil 1 and the power receivingresonance coil 2. That is, in the wireless power supply technique usingmagnetic resonance mode, since power supply can be performed at adistance between coils exceeding the radius of the coil, the posture ofthe coil also needs to be considered. In doing so, the power sendingresonance coil 1 and the power receiving resonance coil 2 do not need tobe placed at the position at which the coil axes are coaxial with eachother. As an extreme example, wireless power supply by the magneticresonance mode can be performed even if the power sending resonance coil1 and the power receiving resonance coil 2 are placed on the same plane.Thus, according to the wireless power supply technique using themagnetic resonance mode, the alignment of coils has variety that wouldbe unimaginable with electromagnetic inductance. Accordingly, the relayresonance coil 3 is provided so as to improve a decrease in the energytransfer efficiency due to the posture of the coils.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the power sending resonance coil 1has a coil axis C1 penetrating the center of the coil unit 10perpendicularly, and is fixed in a way in which the coil axis 1 does notmove. A magnetic line L1 extending from the power sending resonance coilcurves more than the one going through the coil axis C1 straightly, theamount of curve becoming larger as the distance from the coil axis C1becomes larger.

The power receiving resonance coil 2 has a coil axis C2 penetrating thecenter of the coil unit perpendicularly, and its posture is controlledby the posture control apparatus 4 so that the direction of the coilaxis C2 can be changed. In FIG. 1, as an example, the power receivingresonance coil 2 is kept still in a way in which the coil axis C2becomes parallel to the coil axis C1.

The relay resonance coil 3 has a coil axis C3 penetrating the center ofthe coil unit perpendicularly, and is fixed in a way in which the coilaxis C1 is identical with the coil axis C1 of the power sendingresonance coil 1. A magnetic line L3 extending from the relay resonancecoil 3 also curves more than the one going through the coil axis C3straightly, the amount of curve becoming larger as the distance from thecoil axis C3 becomes larger. The placement position and the posture ofthe relay resonance coil 3 is set as follows.

The angle at which the magnetic line L1 extending from the power sendingresonance coil 1 and directly going through the center of the powerreceiving resonance coil L2 crosses with the coil axis C2 of the powerreceiving resonance coil 2 is assumed as a crossing angle α. The angleat which the magnetic line L1 extending from the power sending resonancecoil 1 and directly going through the center of the power receivingresonance coil L3 crosses with the coil axis C3 of the relay resonancecoil 3 is assumed as a crossing angle β0. The angle at which themagnetic line L3 extending from the relay resonance coil 3 and directlygoing through the center of the power receiving resonance coil L2crosses with the coil axis C2 of the power receiving resonance coil 2 isassumed as a crossing angle β1. In this case, the relay resonance coil 3is placed within a setting range in which, no matter which position isthe power receiving resonance coil 2 placed, 0°≦β0≦α≦90°, and0°≦β1≦α≦90°. Particularly in the case of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, α≅90°,β0=0°, β1<<α.

By placing the relay resonance coil 3 at a position within the range ofthe angles α, β0 and β1 as described above, the energy transferefficiencies by the magnetic field resonance mode between the powersending resonance coil 1 and the relay resonance coil 3 and between therelay resonance coil 3 and the power receiving resonance coil 2 may beimproved. This is because as the direction of action of the magneticfield with respect to the direction of the current following in therespective coils 1-3 approaches perpendicularity, more magnetic fluxescross the coil, making it easier for a large current to flow and theenergy to generate the magnetic field resonance increases. That is,between the power sending resonance coil 1 and the power receivingresonance coil 2, even in a situation where the energy transferefficiency by the magnetic field resonance mode is low, it becomespossible to generate a relatively strong magnetic field resonance modeat the power sending side and the power receiving side by theintermediation of the relay resonance coil 3. Accordingly, power sentout from the power sending resonance coil 1 is transmitted to the powerreceiving resonance coil 2 wirelessly and efficiently via the relayresonance coil 3.

Meanwhile, the power sending resonance coil and the power receivingresonance coil may be a positional relationship such as a crossedpositional relationship and a twisted positional relationship in whichthe crossing angle of the coil axes becomes an acute angle, in additionto the states illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in which the positions ofcoil axes are shifted in parallel or crossed perpendicularly. In thiscase, the relay resonance coil just needs to be placed such that thecrossing angle of the magnetic line with respect to the coil axis stayswithin the set range described above. Accordingly, the direction of theaction of the magnetic field is brought close to perpendicularity withrespect to the direction of the current flowing in the coil, making itpossible to improve the energy transfer efficiency by the magnetic fieldresonance mode, and to transmit power efficiently via the relayresonance coil.

The following simulation was performed regarding the effectiveness ofthe relay resonance coil 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the simulation, the case in which the relayresonance coil 3 was placed at the midpoint position between the powersending resonance coil 1 and the power receiving resonance coil 2 andalignment is made such that all the coil axes coincide with each other,and the case in which no relay resonance coil is provided were compared.

In the case in which the relay resonance coil 3 is used, the amplitudeinitial response characteristics of the power sending resonance coil 1,the power receiving resonance coil 2 and the relay resonance coil 3 canbe obtained by solving the following a system of differential equationsby complex analysis based on the coupled mode theory. In the followingequations, “z” be the energy amplitude, “ω” be the natural angularfrequency, “Γ” be a coefficient related to the intrinsic energy loss ofan object, “κ” be the coupling coefficient between the coils, and thesubscripts represent each coil or between the coils.

$\frac{\mathbb{d}z_{1}}{\mathbb{d}t} = {{{{- {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {\omega_{1} - {{\mathbb{i}}\;\Gamma_{1}}} \right)}}z_{1}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;\kappa_{A}z_{3}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;\kappa_{B}z_{2}\frac{\mathbb{d}z_{2}}{\mathbb{d}t}}} = {{{- {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {\omega_{2} - {{\mathbb{i}}\;\Gamma_{2}}} \right)}}z_{2}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;\kappa_{B}z_{3}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;\kappa_{A}z_{3}}}}$$\frac{\mathbb{d}z_{3}}{\mathbb{d}t} = {{{- {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {\omega_{3} - {{\mathbb{i}}\;\Gamma_{3}}} \right)}}z_{3}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;\kappa_{A}z_{2}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;\kappa_{A}z_{1}}}$

Regarding the amplitude initial values of the power sending resonancecoil 1, the power receiving resonance coil 2 and the relay resonancecoil 3, in the case in which z₁(0)=1, z₂(0)=0, z₃(0)=0, the waveformsillustrated in FIG. 5( a) were obtained from Math. 2 above.

Meanwhile, in the case in which no relay resonance coil is used, theamplitude initial response characteristics of the power sendingresonance coil 1 and the power receiving resonance coil 2 can beobtained by solving a simultaneous differential equation similar to theone described above.

$\frac{\mathbb{d}z_{1}}{\mathbb{d}t} = {{{- {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {\omega_{1} - {{\mathbb{i}}\;\Gamma_{1}}} \right)}}z_{1}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;\kappa_{B}z_{2}}}$$\frac{\mathbb{d}z_{2}}{\mathbb{d}t} = {{{- {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {\omega_{2} - {{\mathbb{i}}\;\Gamma_{2}}} \right)}}z_{2}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;\kappa_{B}z_{1}}}$

Regarding the amplitude initial values, in the case in which z₁(0)=1,z₂(0)=0, the waveforms illustrated in FIG. 5( b) were obtained fromMath. 3 above. By comparing the waveforms illustrated in FIG. 5( b) andthe waveforms illustrated in FIG. 5( a), it appears that in the case inwhich no relay resonance coil is used, the amplitude of the powerreceiving resonance coil 2 becomes small, and the magnetic fieldresonance mode weakens.

The steady-state characteristic of the amplitude in the case in whichthe relay resonance coil is used is obtained by solving the following asystem of differential equation by complex analysis in a similar manneras described above based on the coupled mode theory.

z₁ = A₁𝕖^(−𝕚 ω t)  (A₁ = 1)$\frac{\mathbb{d}z_{2}}{\mathbb{d}t} = {{{- {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {\omega_{2} - {{\mathbb{i}}\;\Gamma_{2}}} \right)}}z_{2}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;\kappa_{B}z_{1}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;\kappa_{A}z_{3}} - {\Gamma_{w}z_{2}}}$$\frac{\mathbb{d}z_{3}}{\mathbb{d}t} = {{{- {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {\omega_{3} - {{\mathbb{i}}\;\Gamma_{3}}} \right)}}z_{3}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;\kappa_{A}z_{2}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;\kappa_{A}z_{1}}}$

In Math. 4 above, “Γ_(w)” be a coefficient related to the amount ofpower extracted from the power receiving resonance coil 2 to a load in asubsequent stage and the like. When a₁(t)=A₁=1 is assumed for theamplitude steady-state value of the power sending resonance coil 1, asthe steady-state characteristic, the waveforms illustrated in FIG. 6( a)were obtained from Math. 4 above. According to the waveformsrepresenting the steady-state characteristic, it appears that in thecase in which the relay resonance coil 3 is used, the magnetic fieldresonance mode is generated in a resonance state with little amplitudeloss.

Meanwhile, in the case in which no relay resonance coil is used, thesteady-state characteristic of the amplitude is obtained by solving asystem of differential equations similar to the one above.

z₁ = A₁𝕖^(−𝕚 ω t)  (A₁ = 1)$\frac{\mathbb{d}z_{2}}{\mathbb{d}t} = {{{- {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {\omega_{2} - {{\mathbb{i}}\;\Gamma_{2}}} \right)}}z_{2}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;\kappa_{B}z_{1}} - {\Gamma_{w}z_{2}}}$

In this case, as the steady-state characteristics of the amplitude, thewaveforms illustrated in FIG. 6( b) were obtained from Math. 5. Bycomparing the waveforms illustrated in FIG. 6( b) and the waveforms inFIG. 6( a), it appears that as the steady-state characteristics in thecase in which no relay resonance coil is used, the amplitude of thepower receiving resonance coil 2 also becomes small, and the magneticfield resonance mode weakens.

According to the simulation results described above, it was revealedthat in the case in which the relay resonance coil 3 is used, arelatively strong magnetic field resonance mode is generated, and poweris transmitted from the power sending side to the power receiving sideefficiently.

Therefore, according to the wireless power supply system according tothe present embodiment, even in a placement state of coils which it isdifficult to generate the magnetic field resonance mode by the directaction between the power sending resonance coil 1 and the powerreceiving resonance coil 2, the relay resonance coil 3 may be placed atan appropriate position and posture., Accordingly, a strong magneticfield resonance mode can certainly be generated via the relay resonancecoil 3, and power can be transmitted from the power sending resonancecoil 1 to the power receiving resonance coil 2 efficiently.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the wireless power supplysystem according to the present invention. In the wireless power supplysystem illustrated in the drawing, a plurality of relay resonance coils3A-3C are placed between the power sending resonance coil 1 and thepower receiving resonance coil 2. These relay resonance coils 3A-3C areplaced such that the crossing angle of the magnetic line with respect tothe coil axis satisfies the range described above. According to suchalignment, a strong magnetic field can certainly be generated betweenthe coils in the plurality of relay resonance coils 3A-3C, and power canbe transmitted from the power sending resonance coil 1 to the powerreceiving resonance coil 2 efficiently. In the case in which theplurality of relay resonance coils 3A-3C are used, power can betransmitted further away efficiently by increasing its number as much aspossible.

EXAMPLE 1

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are diagrams illustrating example 1 in which thewireless power supply system according to the present invention isinstalled to an electric door mirror of a car.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the wireless power supply system is configuredto supply power wirelessly from inside a door panel DP of a car M to anelectric door mirror D. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9( a) and(b), the electric door mirror D is rotatably attached around a rotationaxis S1 of a stage S for example. Opening and closing of the electricdoor mirror D is operated by the posture control apparatus 4 builtinside. In the electric door mirror D, the power receiving resonancecoil 2, a mirror 100, and a mirror angle adjustment apparatus 110 thatadjust the angle of the mirror 100 are provided. The relay resonancecoil 3 is fixed to the stage S. Inside the door panel DP of the car Mnear the door mirror D, the power sending resonance coil 1 is provided.The power sending resonance coil 1 is connected to an in-car batterythat is not illustrated in the drawing via the oscillation circuit, andsends out the energy of the in-car battery as power. The power receivingresonance coil 2 is connected to the mirror angle adjustment apparatus110 via a power circuit. The mirror angle adjustment apparatus 110receives an instruction for adjusting the mirror 100 via wirelesscommunication means that is not illustrated in the drawing for example,and operates with the power supplied from the power receiving resonancecoil 2 as a source. Meanwhile, in the case in which as illustrated inthis example the power sending resonance coil 1 is placed inside thedoor panel DP, the door panel is the material for letting the magneticline through. Accordingly, the magnetic line L1 sent out from the powersending resonance coil 1 goes through the door panel DP and crosses therelay resonance coil 3. Therefore, the dustproof and waterproof of theelectric door mirror DP are increased as no cable is drawn inside. Themagnetic line L3 sent out from the relay resonance coil 3 crosses thepower receiving resonance coil 2 regardless of the posture of theelectric door mirror D. As described above, the relay resonance coil 3improves not only the decrease due to the distance of the magnetic fluxdensity crossing the power receiving resonance coil 2 but also thedecrease due to the posture of the magnetic flux density crossing thepower receiving resonance coil 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9( a) and (b), the directions of the coil axesof the power receiving resonance coil 2 and the relay resonance coil 3are changed as opening and closing of the electric door mirror D areoperated. The power sending resonance coil 1, the power receivingresonance coil 2 and the relay resonance coil 3 are placed such that thecrossing angles of the magnetic line with respect to the coil axessatisfies the range set in the embodiment described above even if thecoil axes are changed as described above. Therefore, regardless ofwhether the electric door mirror D is in the open state or the closedstate, power for driving is wirelessly and efficiently transmitted tothe mirror angle adjustment apparatus, and the angle of the mirror 100can be adjusted based on the power. Meanwhile, the power receivingresonance coil 2 is capable of supplying power to the posture controlapparatus 4 regardless of the posture of the electric door mirror D.

FIG. 9( c) is a modification example of the example 1. The power sendingresonance coil 1 in the modification example is provided not inside thedoor panel but in a fixed part F on the car-body side on which theelectric door mirror D is fixed through the stage S. The power sendingresonance coil 1 placed at such a position is capable of sending out amagnetic line regardless of the material of the door panel. It becomespossible to put a separator between the power sending resonance coil 1and the relay resonance coil 3 even when the power sending resonancecoil 1 is placed in such a way.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, even when the posture of theelectric door mirror changes, the magnetic field resonance mode isalways maintained between the relay resonance coil 3 and the powerreceiving resonance coil 2. Meanwhile, the relay resonance coil 3 mayalso be partially used. For example, the alignment may be made such thatthe relay resonance coil functions only one of the posture in which theelectric door mirror D or the closed posture. Such the alignment issuitable for a case in which a situation where in one posture, themagnetic field resonance mode works the power rending resonance coil 1and the power receiving resonance coil 2 and in another posture, themagnetic field resonance does not work or an inferior efficiency betweenthe coils is allowed. When the relay resonance coil 3 is placed in sucha way, it is preferable to place the relay resonance coil 3 at aposition at which, in the other posture, the magnetic field resonancemode by the relay resonance coil 3 works efficiently. Other than that,configuration may be made such that in either one of the posture inwhich the electric door mirror D or the closed posture, the magneticfield resonance mode directly works between the power sending resonancecoil 1 and the power receiving resonance coil 2, and the relay resonancecoil 3 functions when an intermediate posture of them is taken. Thus, asthe wireless power supply system, the relay resonance coil 3 does notneed to be placed such that it always functions, and its effect isnaturally exerted when a situation in which the relay resonance coil 3can function arises. Meanwhile, when an optional car-exterior imagingapparatus is to be mounted on the electric door mirror afterword, thecar-exterior imaging apparatus and the power receiving resonance coilmay be connected, and power may be wirelessly supplied to thecar-exterior imaging apparatus.

EXAMPLE 2

FIG. 10 illustrates example 2 in which the wireless power supply systemaccording to the present invention is applied to a plurality of notebookPCs 20-22 and a table 30 on which they are placed.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the power sending resonance coil 1 isembedded in the table 30, and the plurality of notebook PCs 20-22 areplaced around the power sending resonance coil 1 in the table 30. Thepower sending resonance coil 1 is connected to a power supply that isnot illustrated in the drawing via an oscillation circuit. The powerreceiving resonance coil 2 is embedded in the notebook PCs 20-22. One ofthe notebook PCs 20-22, the notebook PC 20 is assumed to be in the stateof being placed immediately above the power sending resonance coil 1.

In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 10, when power is suppliedwirelessly to the notebook PC 20, power is wirelessly transferreddirectly from the power sending resonance coil 1 to the power receivingresonance coil 2, and power received via the power receiving resonancecoil 1 is stored in the battery of the notebook PC 20. Meanwhile, ifcharging for the battery of the notebook PC 20 is completed for example,the connection between the battery and the power receiving resonancecoil 2 is released, and the power receiving resonance coil 2 functionsas the relay resonance coil 3. That is, the relay resonance coil 3 ofthe notebook PC 20 enters the state in which it is placed so that thecrossing angle of the magnetic line with respect to the coil axes of thepower receiving resonance coils of the notebook PCs 21, 22 placed on itsboth sides satisfies the range set in the embodiment described above.Accordingly, power is wirelessly supplied to the power receivingresonance coils 2 of the notebook PCs 21 and 22 efficiently via therelay resonance coil 3 of the notebook PC 20 positioned immediatelyabove the power sending resonance coil 1. Therefore, even the notebookPCs 21 and 22 that are placed at positions at which it is difficult todirectly receive power from the power sending resonance coil 1 can storepower received via the relay resonance coil 3 of the notebook PC2—andthe power receiving resonance coil 2.

Meanwhile, when applying the wireless power supply system to a pluralityof electric devices, the power sending resonance coil may be provided inthe ceiling, floor, or wall of the room in which the electric devicesexist.

EXAMPLE 3

FIG. 11 illustrates example 3 in which the wireless power supply systemaccording to the present invention is applied to a car-exterior imagingapparatus of a car.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the car-exterior imaging devices 30 and 31are placed for example at the front car exterior and the rear carexterior of a car M. The car interior of the car M is provided with anavigation apparatus N that is capable of displaying the image from thecar-exterior imaging devices 30 and 31. The car-exterior imaging devices30, 31 and the navigation apparatus N is capable of transmitting andreceiving an image signal and a control signal via wirelesscommunication means that is not illustrated in the drawing. Thenavigation apparatus N is provided with the power sending resonance coil1 such that power is supplied via an oscillation circuit that is notillustrated in the drawing, The navigation apparatus N sends out powerwirelessly from the power sending resonance coil 1. The car-exteriorimaging devices 30 and 31 are provided with the power receivingresonance coil 2 such that power is supplied to the internal circuit viaa power circuit that is not illustrated in the drawing. The car-exteriorimaging devices 30 and 31 are driven with power form the power receivingresonance coil 2 as a source. The relay resonance coils 3A-3E areprovided in appropriate parts inside the car that fall between the powerreceiving resonance coil 2 and the power sending resonance coil 1 of thefront car-exterior imaging apparatus 30, and between the power receivingresonance coil 2 and the power sending resonance coil 1 of the rearcar-exterior imaging apparatus 31. The power sending resonance coil 1,the power receiving resonance coil 2, and the relay resonance coils3A-3E are also placed so that the crossing angle of the magnetic linewith respect to their coil axes satisfies the range set in theembodiment described above. Accordingly, even in a state in which thepower sending resonance coil 1 and the power receiving resonance coil 2are placed at a relatively large distance, power can be wirelesslytransmitted efficiently via the plurality of relay resonance coils3A-3E.

Meanwhile, when applying the wireless power supply system to a pluralityof apparatuses, the resonance frequency of a coil related to powersupply to one of the apparatuses may be set as f1 for example, and theresonance frequency related to another apparatus may be set as f2 thatis different from the one above. When variable control is performed forthe resonance frequency of the coil, power supply can be performedseparately to individual devices for example, making it possible tosuppress useless power consumption.

Meanwhile, the present invention is not limited to the embodimentdescribed above.

The configuration illustrated in the embodiment above is just anexample, and design modification may be performed as needed according tothe specification.

The coil turns of the resonance coil and the number of connection of thecapacitor may be set as needed according to the specification of thesystem.

As long as there is a floating capacitance to some extent in the coilunit of the resonance coil, a desired resonance frequency characteristiccan be obtained without particular installation of a capacitor.

Power may be supplied to the relay resonance coil in a supplementaryway.

The wireless power supply system according to the present invention isnot to be applied to cars and electric devices only, and may be appliedto various apparatuses or facilities that require power.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless power supply system comprising: a power sending resonance coil that has an air coil and a capacitor connected serially to the air coil, and transmits power as a first magnetic field wirelessly, the power sending resonance coil having a first resonant frequency within a predetermined range; one or more relay resonance coils that resonate at a second resonant frequency within the predetermined range; a power receiving resonance coil that resonates at a third resonant frequency within the predetermined range, the power receiving resonance coil being placed in a position where the power receiving resonance coil does not receive power directly from the power sending resonance coil; and a posture control apparatus that controls a direction of a coil axis of at least one of the power sending resonance coil, the power receiving resonance coil and the relay resonance coil, the direction of the coil axis being changed by the posture control apparatus, wherein the one or more relay resonance coils relay power from the power sending resonance coil to the power receiving coil using a second magnetic field inducted by the first magnetic field, the second magnetic field inducts a third magnetic field in the power receiving coil, and the power receiving coil receives power using the third magnetic field.
 2. The wireless power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the power sending resonance coil and the power receiving resonance coil are placed such that their coil axes are in a crossed, parallel or twisted positional relationship.
 3. The wireless power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the power receiving resonance coil and the relay resonance coil are provided in an electric door mirror of a car operated by the posture control apparatus, and the power sending resonance coil is provided in a car body of the car.
 4. The wireless power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the power receiving resonance coil is provided in each of a plurality of electric devices, and the power sending resonance coil is provided in a table on which the plurality of electric devices can be placed, or in a ceiling, floor or wall of a room in which the plurality of electric devices exist.
 5. The wireless power supply system according to claim 4, wherein a first power receiving resonance coil in a first electric device among the plurality of electric devices relays power to a second power receiving resonance coil in a second electric device among the plurality of electric devices.
 6. The wireless power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the power sending resonance coil and the relay resonance coil are provided in a car body of a car, and the power receiving resonance coil is provided in a car-exterior imaging apparatus installed on an exterior of the car.
 7. The wireless power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the power sending resonance coil, the power receiving resonance coil and the relay resonance coil includes a capacitor. 